Why Large Cannabis Operators Need to Know about BudSense
Scaling a cannabis operation is hard. The bigger you get, the more complex everything becomes: more stores, more SKUs, more staff, more data, more chances for things to drift off course. For many operators, menus are one of those hidden friction points, they look simple on the surface, but the reality is constant upkeep, endless manual updates, and missed opportunities when information isn’t accurate or detailed enough.
That’s where BudSense comes in.
BudSense started as a tool to help retailers build better menus. But from the very beginning, it was designed with scale in mind. Whether you’re running one store or one hundred, BudSense balances flexibility at the store level with the ability to manage consistency across an entire organization.
In this Q&A, we sat down with David Thomas, founder and CEO of BudSense, to talk about how the platform supports large operators, the challenges it helps solve, and why its approach of automation, flexibility, and partnership has made it the trusted menu system for some of the biggest names in cannabis retail.
How has BudSense worked with multi-location or large-scale cannabis operators?
BudSense was built for scale from day one. Large operators need flexibility to make granular changes at store level, but also efficiency to roll out updates across dozens of locations at once. That balance is built into our platform.
Our role is simple: automate what can be automated, make operations easier, and reduce friction for frontline staff. Every operator has unique goals, strategies, and regional realities. We start by listening, then design workflows and automations that turn menu management from a daily chore into a scalable system.
What challenges do large operators face most often with menu management?
Upkeep. In cannabis, products change constantly, SKUs rotate, info updates, stores stay busy, and staff are focused on customers. Manual menu updates break down quickly, leading to errors, frustration, and missed opportunities.
The real cost isn’t just operational inefficiency. It’s when a customer looks at an incomplete menu, doesn’t see what they’re looking for, and walks out. That friction doesn’t show up on a spreadsheet, but it’s happening every day. Menus aren’t just lists; they’re conversation tools, and if they’re not accurate, clear, and detailed, both budtenders and customers are at a disadvantage.
How is managing menus for 50+ stores different from managing menus for one or two stores?
Smaller operators tend to dive into the weeds. Owner-operators often use BudSense as power users, customizing menus to the finest detail.
At 50+ stores, the focus shifts to scale. Operators lean on our multi-location management and organizational templates. That allows them to set menus at a corporate level, then let stores handle light adjustments. Without tools like this, brand consistency drifts and change management becomes chaos.
Some big operators still want granular customization, and BudSense allows that, but the real value is in scaling workflows across dozens of stores without losing consistency.
Can you share an example of how BudSense helps streamline operations for a large operator?
Print automation. Our first large-scale rollout was with a 40-store operator who relied heavily on print cards for merchandising. Before BudSense, printing and updating cards consumed more than 16 labor hours a week per store.
BudSense cut that time by 12 hours per location. That’s hundreds of hours across the chain, redirected from low-value menu maintenance to higher-value tasks like customer service and sales.
This is where BudSense shines: making operations leaner, more efficient, and more scalable.
What features of BudSense are most critical for scaling across many locations?
Multi-location management and templates. These ensure brand consistency while allowing local flexibility. Without them, stores inevitably drift from corporate strategy, creating inconsistency and headaches.
Another key feature is digital promotion deployment. Operators can configure promotions once at the corporate level and push them to every store. The system ensures only in-stock products display, and promotions only show on the intended screens. That’s scalable merchandising.
Why should large operators trust BudSense over other menu providers?
Because we’re built differently. We don’t run a big sales team. Instead, we invest in account managers, project leads, and support teams who work directly with operators. That means nuanced conversations, tailored solutions, and constant feedback shaping the product.
BudSense has been shaped by years of listening to large operators. The platform is flexible enough to handle almost any merchandising approach. And when there’s a gap, we don’t just say “not possible”, we build toward the solution. That mentality is why large operators stick with us.
If you just want to check the “menu” box, other providers will do. But if you want scalable, customizable systems that push your merchandising forward, BudSense is the choice.
How does BudSense support enterprise-level consistency?
Through templates and centralized management. Corporate can build menus at the organizational level and deploy them across dozens of stores while still allowing for store-level tweaks. This prevents brand drift and ensures every store reflects the intended merchandising strategy.
For multi-banner operators, BudSense supports different logos and branding under the same centralized system, flexible enough for multiple brands, but consistent where it counts.
If you were advising a large operator evaluating menu providers, what would you tell them about BudSense?
Start with trust. BudSense isn’t just a piece of software. We’re a cannabis company first, and we take the time to understand your workflows, your strategy, and your pain points. Our best solutions come from deep conversations with operators across the organization — from executives to frontline staff.
This isn’t about a hard sell. Sometimes another provider might be a better fit, and we’re honest about that. What matters most is partnership. When the fit is right, we roll up our sleeves and help you build scalable systems that your business can rely on.
How is BudSense evolving to meet the needs of large operators?
Crossing 1,000 dispensaries has given us stability to double down on development. We’ve recently expanded our engineering team, and we’re building new modules on top of a powerful core engine.
Efficiency and making workflows leaner and smarter. Revenue growth and helping operators sell through more product, especially vertically integrated lines.
BudSense has the foundation. Now we’re tuning it for scale, profitability, and merchandising excellence.
What role does BudSense play in helping operators adapt to consumer expectations beyond THC and price?
Menus are the front line of storytelling. Without accessible product information; growing conditions, attributes, flavors, aromas, and terpenes - customers default to THC and price. And that leads to smaller baskets and less excitement.
BudSense is building the infrastructure to flip that script. Our database captures product details in depth. Our menus surface that info clearly. And over time, even a THC-driven shopper starts to notice the difference: a sungrown product, a lemon-forward aroma, a solventless extract.
That shift from THC tunnel vision to product discovery is the future of cannabis. BudSense is building the tools to get there.
Learn More about BudSense
In this Q&A, we sat down with David Thomas, founder and CEO of BudSense, to talk about how the platform supports large operators, the challenges it helps solve, and why its approach of automation, flexibility, and partnership has made it the trusted menu system for some of the biggest names in cannabis retail.